Sainsbury’s is attaching security tags to frozen chickens to combat soaring theft of both value and top-of-the-range birds.

Rocketing food prices have prompted the crime wave in the supermarket aisles, according to reports.

The extra security has been introduced at Sainsbury’s store at Hampden Park, Eastbourne. Chickens carry metal tags, which are swiped at the checkout. Thieves attempting to sneak the birds out trigger an alarm as they leave the store.

A Sainsbury’s spokesman said security tags had been in use for a year on higher-value goods such as alcohol and clothing.

Tesco said it had not observed any problem with chicken theft in its shops.

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